Beautiful View at The McCaig's Tower(20 Sep 2008)

The weather improved in the evening on the last day of the stay in Scotland. My power of the rain bringer was very strong during the tour. Before returning to B&B, I stopped by the McCaig's Tower near the B&B.
McCaig's Tower is good viewpoint, look over around a port and a train station. I think the best viewpoint from the east side of the town. I came here when I stayed in Oban last time.
By the way, I will be in London tomorrow evening. I had only the last plan in Scotland to eat a dinner tonight.

Tobermory, which is a capital of Isle of Mull, was founded as a fishing port in 1788 by British Fisheries Society. Tobermory is surrounded on three sides by high ground and protected by Isle of Calve. Despite these natural advantages, there was no town.
However, Oban became one of the main port in Western Scotland after a railway was opened in Oban, Tobermory, too close to Oban, did not develop so much.
The freight which had been shipped most from pier of Tobermory might be whisky casks of Tobermory Distillery.

Dunollie Castle lies on the north of Oban, the best position of overlooking the Oban Bay. The first castle was built around 13th century by the laird, Ewan MacDougall. However, there are some remains of fortress of defense base in 700s.
The MacDougalls was opposed to Robert the Bruce in the early 1300s, and lost Dunollie Castle. The castle was given to the Campbells. However, Dunollie Castle was regained in the end of 14th century. Now, Dunollie Castle which is left was rebuilt around the time.
The MacDougalls supported the Jacobite during the Jacobite rising of 1715, so the MacDougalls lost Dunollie Castle again. After that, they did not take part in the Jacobite rising of 1745, though some of the clansmen fought as Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden.
Dunollie Castle was returned to the MacDougalls after the battle in 1746. However, the castle was in a ruinous condition, and also the castle was not fitted for their lifestyle at that time. So laird and his family abandoned Dunollie Castle and built a residence near the castle. The residence is called Dunollie House and becomes the museum.

Oban Distillery and The McCaig's Tower(18 Sep 2008)

I came to Oban again. I stayed just 1 day last time, so I want to do something I wasn’t able to do last time. I want to eat more good local seafood, go to Isle of Mull, go to Dunollie Castle.
And after all, speaking of Oban, this scenery, Oban Distillery and McCaig’s Tower. Weather is not slightly good this time.

One of the fun of trip is eating the local food. In general, it is said that there is no good food in the UK. Certainly, it is annoyed when I eat in London. However, I think Scottish food is pretty good, especially seafood is very nice to eat in the western port town.
I went to the famous "Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant" when I stayed in Oban.
I dithered over what I ate, finally I ordered the seafood platter for starter. When the dish was served after a while, I really suprised. Two raw oyster, two big langoustines and smoke sarmon from Inverawe. It was first time to eat raw oyster in Scotland, very fresh and delicious!
Volume was plenty and I felt pretty full stomach, but I finished to eat starter. This volume would not be for a person in Japan, it looked like main dish.

Oban Distillery(6 May 2006)

The tall chimney of Oban Distillery is one of the landmark of Oban. You can see from the ferry to Isle of Mull.
Most traveleres who stopped at Oban would see the landmark, and when they saw the chimney which they saw to be small gradually at the departure from Oban, they would feel loneliness on a journey.

Oban Distillery(5 May 2006)

Oban was established in 1794 in the central area of Oban. It is a small, traditional distillery, which was made the best use of the small site.
I think Oban Distillery is similar to distilleries of Campbeltown in Argyle area. And it is the rare distillery which don’t have a computer system, although they are considering to introduce it.